Dominus Winery Napa stands out in the crowd. It only produces two types of wine for each vintage: the earthy Dominus and the bright, food-friendly Napanook. Both Cabernet Sauvignon blends are highly regarded by wine lovers everywhere. And that’s just the beginning of what makes this Napa Valley winery so notable.

Its Historic Vineyard

Few Napa Valley wineries have the claim to fame that this one does. The vineyards are the historic Napanook vineyards where George Yount planted what’s reportedly the first grape vines in all of Napa Valley in 1838. He later sold the land and it changed hands several times before current owner Christian Moueix took it over in. The vineyard is also notable for its volcanic soil, which offers exceptional drainage perfect for growing the Bordeaux varietals and Cabernet Sauvignon used in Dominus Estate’s wines.

Its Owner’s History

Christian Moueix was known as “Mr. Merlot” before moving to Napa Valley in 1981. After all, he was from a famed wine producing family in Libourne, France where he managed the vineyards for more than a decade after returning home from college. Moueix attended the University of California Davis in the 1960s, when he first experienced the charm of Napa Valley and fell in love with the region. When he moved here in 1981, he promised to produce top-notch New World wine. He also predicted that it would take 20 years to make it from his Napanook vineyard. True to his word, Moueix has become one Napa’s renowned winemakers, with each of the vintages steadily growing in quality and popularity. By 2001, Dominus Estate wines reached the status of being classic New World wines. Only Moueix is no longer, “Mr. Merlot.” Now he works with Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals.

Its Architecture

At a glance, it would be easy to assume that the architecture of this private winery is understated. It somehow seamlessly blends with the landscape. The long, low profile of the winery allows the gorgeous vineyards, which span more than 100 acres, to really shine. And that’s exactly what Moueix wanted when he hired Swiss architects, Herzog & De Meuron to complete the work. By 1997, the winery was finished and quickly gained traction as one of Napa Valley’s renowned gems. The facade of the building is made of gabions filled with basalt mined from a nearby quarry. It keeps the interior cool and lets light in without obstructing the landscape or taking away from the beauty of the area.

It Isn’t Open To The Public

Dominus Winery Napa is among the few Napa Valley wineries closed to the public. Interested parties can’t tour the facility or marvel at the architecture up close, but they can purchase the wine at nearby wine shops and appreciate the beauty of this New World wine giant from afar.